Fans of U.K.-set programming, rejoice. Starz and BritBox announced a new partnership on Thursday for what is perhaps the most niche bundle in streaming.Now, via the Starz website, viewers with $14.99 a month to spare can access both digital platforms via one subscription — at a 25 percent discount from subscribing to both seperately.Starz, of course, is the U.S. cable brand behind the Outlander and Power franchises, as well as recent debut Three Women and, as of today, thriller Sweetpea. BritBox is the streaming-only platform for hours and hours of British programming launched in the U.S. in 2017 by BBC Studios and ITV and now solely owned by the former.As corporate behemoths settle into the latest stage of the streaming era, where growing revenue is now key after years of over-spending, bundling has become quite popular — and has naturally left some cord-cutters with cable deja vu. The year has already seen Netflix and Peacock bundle, via Verizon, and Disney+, Hulu and Max forge a bundle of its own. (A sports bundle from Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery is still coming at a pricey $42.99 per month.)“Partnerships have always been key for us as a complementary premium service, and we are excited to now offer bundles through our own retail platform,” said Alison Hoffman, Starz Networks president. “We believe this expanded offering adds value for adult audiences seeking prestige, high-quality premium programming and provides an incredibly seamless and low-friction consumer experience.”Added Robert Schildhouse, president and GM of BritBox International, “It’s a transformative time in the industry, but what audiences want remains the same: authentic, bold, exceptional storytelling. BritBox is excited to launch its first-ever bundle with Starz, allowing us to introduce the inimitable qualities of British TV to a new audience.”In a release, the two companies hyped the bundle’s marriage of Starz’s “premium action, thriller and female-driven” programming alongside BritBox’s buffet of classic and contemporary British television. In addition to Starz’s Sweatpea, starring Ella Pernell, BritBox soon has a high-profile launch of its own in ITV crime drama Passengers.
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